Republic of Indonesia

Independence

The modern republic emerged from the Dutch East Indies and Japan’s wartime occupation. Sukarno declared independence in 1945; conflict with the Netherlands continued until the 1949 transfer of sovereignty. [8]

From Recognition to a Washington Embassy

The United States recognized the Republic of the United States of Indonesia on 28 December 1949, when the first U.S. ambassador presented credentials in Jakarta. American consular activity at Batavia had begun in 1801 under Dutch rule. [1]

Sumitro Djojohadikusumo served as chargé d'affaires in Washington in 1950. By February, Ali Sastroamidjojo had been appointed ambassador, and Truman's calendar scheduled an audience with him for 20 February. [2] [3] [4]

Premises and Early Negotiations

Indonesia acquired the Walsh-McLean House at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue in December 1951. The purchase deed was recorded the following January, and city directories place the embassy chancery there from 1952. The property had previously housed the District of Columbia chapter of the American Red Cross. [5]

In May 1951, China offered rice and tungsten in exchange for Indonesian rubber. Ali discussed the question with Assistant Secretary of State Dean Rusk before returning to Jakarta for consultations. Rusk argued that such trade would weaken restrictions on exports to China during the Korean War and recommended warning the ambassador of an American reaction. [4]

In November 1952, embassy officer Maramis asked the State Department about a proposed replacement aid agreement, following talks involving Ali and Foreign Minister Mukarto. American officials offered revised language while retaining provisions required by U.S. law. Later that month, an American official met Mukarto at the Indonesian embassy to discuss arrangements for military purchases. [6]

Nonalignment and the New Order

Indonesia hosted the Bandung Conference in April 1955, bringing together representatives of 29 Asian and African governments. Participants called for decolonization, respect for sovereignty, and economic and cultural cooperation. The conference helped establish the principles of the nonaligned movement. [10]

The United States covertly supported anti-Sukarno rebels in Sumatra and the Celebes with arms and air support. In May 1958, Indonesian forces shot down and captured American pilot Allen Pope during a bombing mission. In 1961, Rusk recommended that President John F. Kennedy seek clemency for Pope during Sukarno’s forthcoming Washington visit. [11]

In 1959, parliamentary government gave way to Sukarno’s Guided Democracy. After the killings of army generals in 1965, Suharto’s forces suppressed the Indonesian Communist Party. The army and groups it encouraged killed Communist leaders and members on a mass scale. Sukarno lost much of his authority in 1966 as Suharto consolidated power. Washington privately encouraged the new leadership and supplied rice and cotton while organizing international economic assistance. Suharto’s authoritarian New Order combined economic growth with political repression; Indonesia became a founding member of ASEAN in 1967. [12] [8]

Indonesia invaded East Timor in December 1975 and occupied the territory until 1999. The occupation and violence against East Timorese later brought restrictions on American military cooperation. [8] [13]

Reform and Renewed Cooperation

The Asian financial crisis and mass protests preceded Suharto’s fall in 1998. Subsequent reforms transferred authority to provincial and district governments, removed appointed military representatives from parliament, and separated the police from the armed forces. In 2004, Indonesians directly elected their president for the first time, choosing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. [8]

East Timorese voted for independence in August 1999. After militias attacked supporters of independence, President Bill Clinton suspended military cooperation with Indonesia on 9 September and pressed Jakarta to accept international help to stop the violence. East Timor became independent in 2002. [8] [13]

American and Indonesian forces cooperated in emergency relief after the December 2004 tsunami devastated Aceh. At their May 2005 meeting, George W. Bush and Yudhoyono welcomed the resumption of Indonesia’s participation in American military education and training. Bush announced $400 million for earthquake and tsunami relief and reconstruction in Indonesia. [14]

Barack Obama and Yudhoyono inaugurated a Comprehensive Partnership in Jakarta on 9 November 2010. Its agenda included education, trade, investment, security, science, and environmental cooperation, with a joint commission and plan of action. [15]

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The two governments upgraded the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. At their November 2024 meeting, Joe Biden and Prabowo Subianto agreed to regular consultation between their foreign ministers and discussed energy investment, critical minerals, and digital technology. [9]

Temporary Offices during Renovation

Renovation prompted the embassy to move its offices temporarily to Lafayette Center at 1120 20th Street NW from 2 June 2026. Its Indonesian language consular notice instructed visitors to use that address for passport, document legalization, and other services, while mail should still go to the Massachusetts Avenue chancery. [7]

Related Reading

• Indonesia and the United States